Chapter 3
Several days have passed since Shirasu became a commuting wife and started coming to my house. The doctor told me it would be a little longer until my arm was fully healed, but it doesn’t hurt at all, and I can move it without any problems, so I have serious doubts about the diagnosis. I want to be free already.
As I was thinking about this, the morning classes ended, and lunch break began. I was slumped over my desk, completely exhausted.
“You’ve been down in the dumps all morning. Did something good happen, Tomoya?”
“If this looks like something good happened, then your eyes must be shot, Mimasaka. I recommend you go to an eye doctor as soon as possible.”
Mimasaka, who was sitting next to me, spoke to me with a mix of exasperation and sarcasm. I pushed my heavy body up and replied with a lighthearted joke and a wry smile.
“Heh heh. Your wit is as sharp as ever, even when you’re tired. But really, what’s wrong? You’ve been like this for the past few days, haven’t you?”
As Mimasaka said, my exhaustion didn’t just start today. I’ve been like this ever since Shirasu started coming over.
“Yeah… a cat has taken up residence at my house recently.”
“A cat? Did you pick up a stray?”
“A stray? Yeah, something like that. This cat is cute, but it’s also clumsy, or rather…”
I don’t think I need to say it, but the stray cat is a metaphor for Shirasu Yuika.
She’s been rumored to be super cute since she enrolled, and from what I hear, she’s already been confessed to by a number of boys, both classmates and upperclassmen, that’s more than you can count on both hands. There’s no way I could ever tell anyone that I’m in a fiancée relationship with such a junior, thanks to our drunk parents, and that she comes to my house every day to take care of me.
She’s practically perfect when it comes to housework. Ready to be a bride at any moment. But she’s a sheltered princess who was raised with loving care and attended an all-boys-prohibited school until high school, so she lacks a lot of knowledge.
To make matters worse, her personal maid fills in the gaps by feeding her all sorts of nonsense, so being with her is a constant source of mental fatigue.
“I see. So the cat you took in is quite the little troublemaker, and you’re having a hard time, Tomoya?”
“I guess you could put it that way. It’s my first time having a cat, so I don’t know how to train it, which makes it even harder.”
“Well, stray cats can be a handful until they get used to people.”
“And the problem is that even when they make a mess, they’re so cute that I end up forgiving them.”
No matter how much she teases me or what she does, the moment she flashes that innocent and lovely smile, all my anger dissipates into thin air.
“That’s not good. You have to be firm when you need to be. If you spoil them too much, they’ll become selfish, and you’ll have a hard time later on.”
“I know that, but…”
She’s already selfish, or rather, a bundle of positivity that I’m having a hard time with, I added mentally.
“Besides. It’s more than just surprising that you’d be so soft on a cat, Tomoya. It’s shocking. I think it might snow out of season.”
You don’t have to go that far, I thought with a wry smile, and then,
“Well, anyway. One thing I can say is that humans are powerless before a cute cat. It’s just right to distract a lonely high school boy living alone.”
Especially in a spacious family home. That said, I’m the eldest son—though I’m an only child with no younger brothers or sisters—and this has been going on since my mother passed away, so I got used to it a long time ago.
“You’re right… being alone is lonely. But being too lively is also a problem.”
Mimasaka shrugged as she spoke. She has a younger brother and sister with a significant age gap, and both of her parents work from morning until late at night. The reason she has such a sense of tolerance and calmness is because she looks after her younger siblings.
As an aside, because of that, she had to give up on her promising future as a basketball player, which she had been pursuing until middle school. However, contrary to the disappointment of those around her, she herself doesn’t seem to mind much.
“By the way, changing the subject. How’s your arm doing, Tomoya? Does it look like it’s getting better?”
“That’s quite a change of subject… Well, it’s gotten a lot better, I guess. It wasn’t a serious injury to begin with.”
It was just a bruise and a minor sprain. And a few minor lacerations. Normally, it wouldn’t have been necessary to immobilize my arm.
But the doctor’s unnecessarily dramatic treatment has led to extra misunderstandings. It also played a role in Shirasu’s insistence on becoming a commuting wife.
“But you can’t take the bandages off yet, right? If you’d like, shall I come over and take care of you?”
“…Excuse me?”
What is this classmate of mine talking about all of a sudden? Is taking care of someone the latest trend or something?
“I said I’ll take care of you, t-a-k-e c-a-r-e o-f y-o-u! It must be hard with your dominant hand like that, right? I’ll help you out with things until you’re healed.”
Mimasaka moved closer as she spoke. I wanted to believe that the subtle pressure of “You’re not going to refuse, are you?” was just my imagination.
“It must be hard with an arm like that, right? I can make you lunch and dinner. Well, I can’t do it every day, though.”
Making lunch and dinner is by no means a small thing. And taking care of me while also looking after her brother and sister would be next to impossible, even for a superhuman like Mimasaka. I can’t ask her to do that, no matter how injured I am.
“Thanks, Mimasaka. But I’ll just accept the thought.”
“…Why? Are you saying you don’t need my help?”
Her smile vanished in an instant, and a quiet anger filled Mimasaka’s expression. In the year I’ve known her, this is the first time I’ve seen her make such a face. To be honest, it’s a little scary.
“N-No… that’s not what I mean. But you have your own things to deal with at home, right, Mimasaka? And on top of that, taking care of me…”
“I’m telling you it’s fine, so you don’t have to worry about it, Tomoya. Or what? Are you saying I’m not up to the task?”
“I’m telling you, that’s the wrong way to use that phrase… and besides, Mimasaka, could you lower your voice a bit?”
“It’s no use trying to change the subject, Tomoya. Answer my question. Are you saying my help isn’t good enough?”
“I’m telling you, you’re being too loud! Do you have a grudge against me or something!?”
SLAM! I slammed my hand on the desk, stood up, and pointed for Mimasaka to look around the classroom. It seemed she finally noticed the stares from those around us. The boys were looking at me with murderous intent, the girls with gleeful expressions.
“If you don’t have a grudge against me, then please, lower your voice. We can even continue this after school, somewhere else. So please, stop talking about it here.”
Please, I bowed my head. If it ends with just an injury, that’s fine. But if we continue this conversation, my life will be in danger. And the reason for that is none other than this friend sitting next to me.
As you can see, Mimasaka is extremely popular in school, though not to the same extent as Shirasu. Her beautiful features, the lean body honed by basketball, and her unbalanced twin hills would make even a model run away barefoot.
Furthermore, since she always looks after her younger brother and sister, she also possesses a calmness and tolerance that belie her age. According to her, she’s sometimes mistaken for a college student when she’s walking around town in her casual clothes.
There’s no way such a girl could have gone this long without being confessed to. Especially in her first year, she was often approached by upperclassmen, and she cut them all down with a single stroke.
In other words, if Mimasaka were to say something like “I’ll take care of you” to a boy, a riot could break out.
“What are you talking about now? It’s you and me, Tomoya. In fact, let’s show them off more and more.”
“Show what off to who…?”
She needs to space out her jokes. Between her and Shirasu, they both have a terrible hobby of enjoying teasing people. And in Mimasaka’s case, it’s worse because she’s doing it on purpose, unlike Shirasu.
“Heh heh. Isn’t it obvious—”
She paused, then moved even closer, wrapping her right arm around my shoulder. A gentle scent of sweet honey mixed with refreshing lemon wafted over.
“—our intimate relationship, of course.”
KYAAAAA! The girls’ shrill cheers echoed through the classroom, and the boys’ resentful glares pierced me. I let out a grand sigh, but calmly attempted to escape from Mimasaka’s embrace.
“Alright, alright, let’s stop playing with a healthy high school boy’s pure heart. It’ll only lead to unnecessary misunderstandings!”
“Tch. You’re as cold as ever, Tomoya. If you don’t want to be misunderstood, you should just make it a fait accompli.”
I’ve been telling you for a while, haven’t I? she added, a bewitching smile on her lips. The only reason I can handle this calmly is because it’s not the first time she’s done something like this.
“Honestly. You shouldn’t do things like this so casually. I’ve told you many times, if it weren’t me, you’d be in big trouble.”
“I think I’ve told you many times that I don’t do this with anyone but you, Tomoya. Haaaah… I wonder when you’ll finally fall for me.”
“Give me a break. I don’t want to die yet—”
“—Excuuuuse me!! Is Midou-senpai heeeere!?”
Just as I was about to say I didn’t want to die, a lovely voice like the ringing of a bell suddenly echoed through the classroom.
“…Wha!?”
I hunched my shoulders and turned my back, trying to go unnoticed. I told you never to come to the classroom, so why are you here? I cursed inwardly.
“…Hey, Tomoya. What’s the meaning of this?”
The classroom fell silent in an instant at the sight of the speaker. In contrast, my friend next to me asked in a low, chilling voice I had never heard before.
“…………”
I couldn’t think of a reply, and a cold sweat wouldn’t stop pouring down my face. I wanted to run away like a scared rabbit right now, but Mimasaka moved her face closer, applying pressure as if to prevent me from doing so. To make matters worse, my other friend approached with the eerie gait of a ghost.
“Yo, Tomoya. What the hell is going on?”
“…Wh-Who knows? What are you talking about?”
Mimasaka and Koshiro, stop using pronouns. And you’re being unnecessarily loud. You’ll give me away.
“You know what I’m talking about! You don’t need me to say it! Explain yourself, Tomoya! If you don’t, our friendship is over!”
“That’s a pretty fragile friendship, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is! Why is Shirasu Yuika in our classroom!? And why is she calling your name!?”
“Ah… I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you. I can’t hear anything.”
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Silence is golden. Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best. The optimal choice for me in this situation is the third one. If there were a cardboard box here, it would be a different story, but unfortunately, there isn’t, so I attempted to make a quiet and swift escape.
“Ah, Senpai! If you’re here, please answer!”
Why are you ignoring me? Shirasu puffed out her cheeks and strode into the classroom as if she owned the place. As expected of a president’s daughter, she wasn’t the least bit intimidated by an upperclassman’s classroom, which showed she had a lot of guts. I wish she wouldn’t show it in situations like this.
“Why are you ignoring me, Senpai? Don’t tell me you can’t see me, right?”
“…………”
Don’t speak. Don’t react. The slightest response would lead to a hell called a public execution by my classmates, including my two friends.
“Oh my? Are you ignoring me? Giving me the silent treatment? Isn’t that a bit too much? Even I would be hurt by that.”
“Th-That’s right, Tomoya. It’s cruel to ignore her. Shirasu-san is sad, you know!”
“Alright! Koshiro, let’s be quiet for a bit, shall we!?”
“Senpai, that’s so cruel! To ignore me but listen to your friend…! Have you started to hate me?”
Uuuu, Shirasu looked down and her shoulders slumped theatrically. At that moment, I heard the sound of every single student in the classroom holding their breath. At the same time, the temperature in the room dropped, and I was pierced by the murderous glares of the boys, starting with Koshiro.
I endured the sharp pain in my stomach, approached Shirasu, and asked in a low voice.
“Why did you come to the classroom!? I told you, we’re supposed to act like strangers at school! So why…!”
“I thought about it calmly after I got home. Since I said I’d take care of you, I have to at least make you a bento, right? So I brought it!”
“Alright, let’s be quiet for a bit. You don’t have to take care of me at school. In fact, things have gotten complicated because you came here.”
I felt a murderous intent and pressure from behind me. I cautiously looked back to see my best friend with a demonic look on his face, his fist raised.
“Tomoya… you bastard…”
“C-Calm down, Koshiro! Just lower that raised fist for now!”
“Hey, Tomoya. Don’t tell me… did you refuse my offer because of this girl?”
Koshiro and Mimasaka closed in on me, their pressure suffocating. Mimasaka in particular was dangerous. This was the very definition of being furious. It wouldn’t be strange if she grabbed me by the collar at any moment; that was the dangerous vibe she was giving off.
“An offer? Senpai, what offer? What did this beautiful older sister propose to you?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about, Shirasu. Besides, I already turned down the proposal… oops.”
Crap. I had answered normally without thinking. By the time I realized and covered my mouth, it was too late. Shirasu smirked, and Mimasaka’s expression grew even more severe. Koshiro didn’t know.
“You finally answered my question, Senpai. I was wondering what I would do if you didn’t talk to me.”
“Are you not going to answer my question, Tomoya? Hey, what’s your relationship with this girl? Are you close enough that she’d make you a handmade bento?”
“C-Calm down! Shirasu and I aren’t in the kind of relationship you’re imagining—!”
“If you’re not in the kind of relationship I’m imagining, then what kind of relationship is it!? Answer me, Tomoya!”
Mimasaka grabbed my collar with both hands, choking me, and then shook me back and forth. The intensity was, subjectively, over a magnitude 6 earthquake. Thanks to that, I couldn’t even think of an excuse. And in this situation, silence wouldn’t be golden; it would only be tightening the noose around my own neck.
“If you shake him that hard, he won’t be able to talk, will he…?”
“…I’m talking to Tomoya right now. Could you be quiet for a bit?”
Mimasaka glared at Shirasu. There was no murderous intent, but I could sense something close to hostility. How unusual. She’s not the type to take her anger out on someone.
“No, I will not be quiet. Please let go of Senpai! At this rate, he’ll die!”
“Die? You can’t fool me with such an exaggeration.”
“N-No, Shirasu-san is right. Let go of Tomoya, Mimasaka. He’s choking.”
Heh, Mimasaka let out a dumb sound at almost the same time as I tapped her hand.
“S-Sorry, Tomoya!”
“Ah, ah… I saw my dead mother waving at me from the other side of the Sanzu River, but I’m okay.”
Mimasaka hurriedly let go. One wrong move and I would have been on a small boat, on my way to my mother. I could feel my brain rejoicing at the fresh oxygen.
“Are you okay, Senpai? Are you alive? Do you know where you are, who I am?”
“I’m not going to get amnesia from something like this. I’m not that fragile. And stop using the confusion to get closer.”
I appreciate the concern, but pressing your body against me is unnecessary. It’ll only accelerate the misunderstanding, and Koshiro’s grumbling is only getting worse.
“Senpai, let’s move and have lunch for now. We won’t get anywhere staying here.”
“…I guess so. I’m getting hungry anyway.”
Before I knew it, half of lunch break was over. If I stayed in the classroom any longer, I’d have to fight through the afternoon classes without lunch, and my stomach would probably growl loudly, causing me great embarrassment.
“Ah, Tomoya…”
“About Shirasu, it’s really nothing. It’s just that… I kind of became her lifesaver.”
“Lifesaver? Wait a minute, Tomoya. I don’t think that’s ‘nothing.’ Does it have something to do with your arm injury?”
I have to take my hat off to Mimasaka’s usual perceptiveness. But on the other hand, this was the perfect opportunity to explain my relationship with Shirasu in the midst of the chaos.
“Well, something like that. I told you I hurt my arm when I fell, but that was a lie… Actually, the other day, Shirasu was about to get hit by a car, and I saved her. That’s when I hurt my arm. And the reason she’s bringing me a bento now is to repay that debt. Right?”
“Umm…”
“R-i-g-h-t?”
I put pressure on the hesitating Shirasu with my words, implying, “Don’t say anything unnecessary.” I put all my will into my gaze, telling her not to complicate things any further now that the story was finally coming together.
“Y-Yes. That’s right. The only reason I’m able to come to school healthy and happy is thanks to Senpai.”
“I see… if that’s the case, you should have just said so.”
“Don’t tell me, Senpai, you didn’t explain how you got that injury?”
“…It’s not exactly something to broadcast.”
If I had spoken carelessly, my relationship with Shirasu could have been exposed. That’s why I said I had fallen. But all of that was ruined by Shirasu’s sudden appearance.
“Well, Mimasaka. Are you a little more convinced now?”
“…Well, for the most part.”
“Case closed! Now that the older sister is convinced, let’s go, Senpai!”
“Whoa, Shirasu!? It’s dangerous, don’t push! What if I fall!?”
Pushed from behind by Shirasu, I left the classroom. A curtain of silence once again fell over the chaotic room. Will I still be alive when I return from lunch break? With a sliver of anxiety, I was escorted away by Shirasu.
＊＊＊＊＊
“…Shirasu. Why did you come to the classroom?”
“Isn’t it obvious? To deliver your bento, Senpai.”
Shirasu had taken me to the deserted rooftop. It was usually locked, so I wondered why it was open today of all days, but I decided not to worry about the details for now.
“I appreciate the thought, but I told you not to come to the classroom, didn’t I? Now things have gotten complicated.”
“No. You’re mistaken, Senpai. It’s true that a lot happened, but the reason things turned out that way is none other than your own fault.”
“…Hoh. To say that it’s my fault? You’ve got some nerve, Shirasu. Shall I hear your reason?”
“If you had explained the situation without hiding anything, this wouldn’t have happened. Don’t you think so?”
Gnnnngh. It was a solid argument. As Shirasu said, if I had explained the reason for my arm injury without trying to cover it up—even if I didn’t mention Shirasu’s name, just that I had helped someone—the commotion might have been a little smaller.
“It’s because you tried to hide it, Senpai. Let’s just tell them everything, about the fiancée and the commuting wife arrangement!”
“Y-You idiot! If you say something like that, I’ll be sent to the execution block and beheaded immediately! Well, if you want me to die, that’s a different story.”
“Huh!? Why would it come to that!? I don’t want you to die, not even a little bit!”
“That’s what you just said! You need to be aware of how you’re perceived by others! No, please, I’m begging you!”
A beauty so great that the word “peerless” isn’t enough to describe her, the daughter of a major corporation’s president, and a genuine princess raised in a sheltered environment. The day it’s revealed that such a girl has a fiancée, the media will surely flock to us, causing a panic.
“How am I perceived…? I don’t think I’m any different from anyone else.”
But sadly, Shirasu herself tilted her head in confusion, as if she had no idea what I was talking about.
“Haaaah… I can’t believe it’s this bad.”
All I can do is sigh. I know I need to do something about it soon, but the reality is that I can’t think of any concrete solutions. Well, on the other hand, you could say that this innocence, this simplicity, is part of Shirasu Yuika’s charm. Though for me, the victim, it’s unbearable.
Pulling myself together, I savored the bento I had received from Shirasu and asked her a question. Her handmade bento was a standard affair, with things like fried chicken and tamagoyaki. However, even cold, the taste was exquisite, on a level that could be served in a restaurant.
I already knew from the several dinners she had made for me, but Shirasu is truly a great cook. She could not just be a bride, but open her own restaurant right now.
“Anyway, why did you suddenly decide to make me a bento?”
“It was in consideration of your dining habits, Senpai. Your lunches are not exactly healthy, to put it mildly.”
Shirasu also started eating her bento as she spoke. I vaguely thought that her small bites were cute, and then I considered my own lunch situation.
“Really? I think it’s not that different from a typical high school boy.”
My lunch at school usually consists of sweet bread from the school store or a meal from the cafeteria. Before I got injured, I would sometimes pack leftovers from dinner in a Tupperware container as a substitute for a bento, but not that often.
“I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but it’s not very nutritious. You’re in your growth period, so you need to eat things that will give you stamina!”
“…Did your maid tell you that too?”
“Eh!? How did you know, Senpai? Everything I just said was a direct quote from Nanase-san. But I was the one who made the bento!”
Hmph, Shirasu puffed out her chest. I’ve noticed recently that this princess makes a proud face every time she gets a chance, so she might be the type who likes to be praised. We haven’t even known each other for ten days, but I’ve already gotten used to it.
“I see. Thanks for going to the trouble for me.”
“Hya!?”
I gently patted Shirasu’s head with my left hand to show my gratitude. If I had a younger sister, I think I would have spoiled her like this. Well, if she were this cute, the mix of doting and overprotectiveness would be a handful.
“U-Um… Senpai? What’s with you all of a sudden?”
Even if I were to be criticized by those around me as a “sis-con,” I would protect her from all harm. That said, Shirasu’s hair is so silky and nice to pat. Even though we’re different genders, it’s so high-quality that it’s hard to believe we’re the same species. It must be proof that she takes good care of it.
“S-Senpai… um, I’m happy that you’re patting my head, but… c-could you please let go soon?”
It was the voice of Shirasu, her face bright red with embarrassment, that pulled me back to the surface from the sea of my daydreams. Her eyes were slightly moist, giving off a strange allure, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath.
“Ah, my bad. You looked like you wanted to be praised, so I just… it was unpleasant, wasn’t it?”
As they say, a woman’s hair is her life, and it’s not something that should be touched lightly—especially by a man. On top of that, patting her head is the worst. Only handsome protagonists in manga are allowed to do that. Head-patting is a fantasy. In another era, it would have been an act worthy of ten thousand deaths.
“N-No, no! It’s not that it was unpleasant! It’s just that if you keep doing it, my face will break into a grin, and the afternoon classes will be a struggle…”
Shirasu smiled shyly, as if to cover up her embarrassment.
Bathed in the sunlight pouring down from a cloudless sky, Shirasu’s smile seemed to my eyes to be brighter than the sun and more brilliant than the stars in the night sky. I almost fell for her.
“I’ll be more careful from now on. I’m really sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize! In fact, I’d rather you pat my head and praise me more, regularly. In fact, please do!”
Shirasu moved closer as she spoke. In addition to wanting to be praised, her personal space is way too small. Is it really okay for her to close the distance every time something happens? If it were anyone but me, she could be misunderstood and pushed down at any moment.
“For now, let’s work on fixing your habit of getting close for no reason, okay? It’s one thing with girls, but don’t do it with guys. You can’t complain no matter what happens, you know?”
“? What are you talking about, Senpai? In the first place, I’ve never even had a proper conversation with a guy other than you.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s not a big deal, but I really only talk to them when it’s absolutely necessary. It’s not something to be proud of, but I’m actually quite shy, you see.”
A lie. I call bullshit. My mind was a jumble of wanting to say that and wanting it to be true so I could bask in the superiority of being the only boy Shirasu can talk to, and I was so flustered that I couldn’t reply and just fell silent.
“Oh my, what’s wrong, Senpai? Your face is turning red.”
“…It’s just your imagination, Shirasu. And the reason I’m red is because of the sun.”
It was definitely not because I was embarrassed that Shirasu had hit the nail on the head. But since she would see through any bluff I made, I just silently ate my bento. The fried chicken, well-marinated in ginger soy sauce, was delicious. It made me want to eat it freshly fried.
“I’m glad you liked the bento, Senpai. If you’d like, I can make it for you every day from now on.”
“…What did you say?”
My true feelings slipped out. I hurriedly covered my mouth and turned my face away, but it was too late. I could tell Shirasu was smirking without even looking.
“Oh my? Wouldn’t the Senpai up until now have bluntly refused, saying, ‘You don’t have to worry about me’? To ask again, does that mean you perhaps desire it?”
“…Gnnnngh.”
To think that the day would come when I would let out a groan like “gnnnngh” again in such a short period of time. At this rate, I’ll be completely swept up in Shirasu’s pace. But—
“Well, Senpai? If you ask me properly, I’ll make you a handmade bento every day from now on.”
“—Then I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“…Huh? Senpai, what did you just say? If I didn’t mishear you, didn’t you say, ‘I’ll take you up on that offer’?”
“Yeah, I said it. You’re going to make it for me, right? A handmade bento. Every day, for me. Or was it a joke?”
It was annoying to always be on the receiving end, so I decided to just own it. If trying to regain my pace would only lead me into a quagmire, then I might as well just go along with it. And if I’m lucky, I can drag Shirasu into the mud with me and turn it into a mud-slinging match.
“I-It… wasn’t… a joke…”
Shirasu, who had been getting carried away, suddenly became subdued, twirling the ends of her hair with her fingers and muttering in a small voice. She was looking down, but I could tell that not just her face, but also her ears were red enough to be burned.
“Haaaah… Senpai, you can be cunning, or rather, cowardly at times. What’s with you? Is it fun to be mean to me?”
“Hahahaha! That’s my line too, you know! Well, anyway. The only ones who should tease people are those who are prepared to be teased themselves.”
“Gnnnngh…! I won’t lose next time, Senpai!”
“This isn’t about winning or losing…”
It’s not a competition, and sadly, I don’t have the slightest confidence that I could parry her if she challenged me again.
“Ah… I just thought of something. If you’re going to make me a bento every day, won’t the hand-off be a problem?”
It’s not that the schemer drowned in his own scheme, but when I thought about it calmly, it’s not a good idea to continue doing what we did today, tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that.
“You think so? I don’t think it’s a problem at all. It’s a simple job of just delivering a bento to your classroom every lunch break.”
I held my head in my hands as Shirasu declared this so nonchalantly. The best way would be to get it before school, but my house and Shirasu’s are in opposite directions from the school, so that’s difficult.
Meeting secretly on school grounds is another option, but while I might be able to get away with it, it’s impossible for a famous person like Shirasu to walk around without being noticed, unless she’s a master spy.
“Well, I can’t say I don’t understand how you feel, Senpai, so I’ll make you the best proposal. Are you ready to be prepared?”
“…I’ll hear you out. We’ll talk after that.”
It’s bound to be a terrible proposal anyway. It would just be tiring to listen to it seriously, so I’ll just let it go in one ear and out the other.
“Heh heh. Let me say this first, this is not a difficult problem at all, Senpai. To put it bluntly! I will deliver a bento to your house every morning! Problem solved!”
“Alright, time to head back to class.”
It was a waste of time to even listen. I sighed, packed up my finished bento box, and stood up.
“Hey!? What’s with that reaction!?”
That’s so cruel, Shirasu protested, pulling on my sleeve. The answer was so predictable that my head didn’t even hurt anymore.
“What do you mean, ‘what’s with that reaction’? Delivering it to my house every morning isn’t realistic, is it?”
“No! This is the most realistic plan! In fact, it’s the only one!”
“Fine. I’ll concede a hundred steps and say the delivery is fine. So, how do you plan on making the delivery?”
“Fufufu. Who do you think I am? Do you really think I would make such a proposal without a plan?”
“Yeah, I do.”
At my immediate reply, Shirasu stood up and started patting me on the back. And she did it silently, her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction. It was cute, but getting hit was a little painful.
“Hey! What do you think I am! Do you see me as a klutz!? You do, don’t you!?”
I can’t believe it, Shirasu cried out, her voice mixed with tears. She had said I was like a drum that resounds when struck, but she herself was quite the same.
Could it be that her personal maid, Nanase, also enjoys teasing Shirasu like this? And she probably takes advantage of her ignorance about health and physical education to teach her all sorts of things, true or not. And she probably enjoys watching me struggle.
“Hey, Senpai! Don’t just stand there silently, say something! Ask me how I plan on making the delivery!”
“Alright, alright, so stop hitting me. How do you plan on bringing it every morning?”
“My maid, Nanase-san, will drive me to your house! In fact, if she just drives me to school from there, it would be perfect… ah, that’s it! Why don’t you come with us, Senpai? It’s two birds with one stone!”
Her proud face seemed to say, Isn’t that a great idea? What is she, a puppy wagging its tail?
“Yeah, you’re right. It is two birds with one stone. Being able to go to school comfortably without being swayed by a crowded train is like a dream.”
“Right!? Right!? Then, starting tomorrow, let’s go together—!”
“But that’s only if we don’t take into account the fact that my life will be scattered like flowers.”
“…Huh? Scattered like flowers? Your life, Senpai?”
Calm down, be rational. It’s one thing to be exasperated, but there’s no point in getting angry. You already know that Shirasu is this kind of girl. I let out a sigh, releasing the various emotions that had welled up inside me.
“Listen, Shirasu. You remember the commotion you caused when you came to the classroom just a few dozen minutes ago, right?”
“Well… yes. Though I don’t know why it happened.”
“Good. We’ll discuss that in detail later. But if things get that chaotic just from you coming to the classroom and calling my name, what do you think will happen if we come to school together in a car?”
“Hmm? What would happen?”
Is she testing me? She knows what would happen and is just asking, right? It has to be on purpose. If not, she’s just too dense.
“It’ll cause a commotion on a whole other level compared to today! The moment that happens, not just my high school life, but my entire life will be game over!”
“I always think this, but you really are dramatic, Senpai. Your life isn’t going to end just because you came to school with me. Besides, you and I are fiancés, aren’t we? Isn’t it normal for us to go to school together?”
“How is that normal!?”
The concept of a fiancée is out of place in this day and age. And that kind of thing only happens in fiction. If you bring that into reality, and the other party is Shirasu Yuika, what will happen? It should be obvious without me having to say it. To everyone but her.
“I guess it can’t be helped. If you’re going to say that, shall I have you get out on the way, Senpai? Wouldn’t it be fine if you got out one station before the one closest to the school?”
“Well, if we go to school separately, that would be fine. And could you please stop talking as if I’m the one being selfish?”
“If you don’t want me to, then let’s go to school together by car! And Senpai, it’s fine to deliver the bento, but I’ve noticed a fatal flaw.”
“…What did you say?”
What flaw could there be in the bento delivery plan?
“Even if I hand you the bento in advance, the fact that you’re holding it will definitely lead to questions.”
“…Ah.”
Elementary, my dear Watson. As if spoken by the famous detective living on Baker Street, I realized what Shirasu was getting at.
“If you’re carrying an unfamiliar bento box, I think everyone… especially that older sister, would notice, don’t you?”
“Mimasaka… she would definitely notice.”
“You’re not in contact at school, but you have a bento. How would one interpret that? If it were me, I’d think you were either meeting secretly somewhere, or you were actually living together.”
For a princess who’s ignorant about so many things, she has some pretty good reasoning. I came to a similar conclusion myself.
“What kind of excuse will you make then, Senpai? What will you say besides that we’re fiancés? Wouldn’t it be impossible to give an explanation that doesn’t cause any friction?”
“…What do you want me to do?”
“Give up and let me drive you to school! That will solve everything, everything will be settled, and all will be right with the world!”
Doubt it. Is this really the only option? Am I being cleverly manipulated by Shirasu? I don’t think she’s capable of such leading questions, but now that the possibility that she’s being fed all sorts of ideas has emerged, I can’t just nod along easily.
“It’s settled, right? We’ll start going to school together tomorrow!”
She was rushing me for an answer, but I tried to stay calm and think. The biggest problem would be being called out for having an unfamiliar bento box. In other words, if I can just solve that, everything will be fine.
“What, isn’t it simple?”
“…Did you think of something?”
I chose to believe that the drop in Shirasu’s tone was just my imagination and voiced the optimal solution I had arrived at.
“Why don’t I just give you the bento box I’ve been using beforehand? If you make the bento in that, no one will be suspicious, right?”
“…………Tch.”
“Wha—!? Hey, Shirasu! Did you just click your tongue!?”
She averted her face, but I definitely saw her do something unbecoming of a princess. At that moment, I was certain that Shirasu’s previous proposal had been a leading question.
“No, no. There’s no way I would click my tongue. You must have misheard, Senpai.”
“Liar! You totally did it!”
I protested vehemently against Shirasu, who was trying to brush it off. Is she ignorant, or is she not? I’m starting to not understand Shirasu, but if you add mysterious to cute, isn’t that just perfect?
“Haaaah… Well then, I’ll give you the bento box when you come over today, so please take care of it, Shirasu.”
“Yes, please leave it to me from now on!”
Just as Shirasu thumped her chest, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang. At that moment, I remembered the reality that I had pushed to the back of my
Namely—what am I going to do when I get back to the classroom?
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